FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Poppy (epilogue)

December 2027

It had become a tradition for the family to gather at David and Jessica's house for the holidays. Their offspring, Llewelyn Roy was there with his wife Belinda and their children. Tracy sat in a soft recliner chair in a corner of the living room, watching the young pups at play. The Candy Land game spread out on the floor between the two had been a Christmas present for both of them. The coyote's attention was interrupted by the appearance of his daughter.

“Here's your afghan, Daddy," said the German Shepherd as she arranged the brightly colored, knitted blanket over his lap. “Feeling warmer now?"

Tracy nodded. “Yes. Thank you, Pinky."

“Is there anything else I can get you?" Jessica asked. “Maybe a cup of tea?"

“That sounds wonderful," said Tracy.

“I'll go fix you some," Jessica said with a kiss to the old coyote's cheek.

A four-year-old pup appeared at her great grandfather's knee. She traced a finger across a seam joining green and white stripes on the afghan. “Ooh, Poppy! This is pretty."

“You like it, Lisa?"

“Yes."

“It was made a long time ago by my mother-in-law." Tracy could sense that the little girl was confused. Complex family relationships were still a mystery at her age. He tried to clarify. “She was my mate's mommy. Her name was Oria."

“That's a pretty name," said the child. “Did she die?"

Tracy grinned. Children could be so blunt when talking about topics that adults considered sensitive, such as death. “Oh, yes," he said, “a long, long time ago."

“Lisa!" called the girl's older sibling with more than a hint of impatience. “It's your turn!"

Lisa ran off to rejoin her six-year-old brother.

“You still have Mama's afghan," said a familiar baritone voice.

Tracy turned his head toward the large brown bear standing at his side.

“I've kept a few things," Tracy whispered. “It reminds me of you. One day it will belong to Lisa."

“But not for a while yet."

“When?" Tracy inquired. “Did you ask Marco to check with his 'sources'?"

“Marco says his sources don't work that way."

Tracy sighed. “I'm just so tired, Roy."

“I know, Babe," said the bear.

“It's been a long time since I was a babe," said the coyote.

“I used to say that to Mama," chuckled the bear. “Do you remember what she always said?"

“You'll always be my baby."

“And it's true," said Roy.

“I don't feel like a baby. My bum hip hurts all the time when it's cold out like this. I don't remember the last time I had a boner. I can't shit when I want to and I piss myself when I don't want." Tracy rubbed his chin. “Speaking of that, I was wondering: Do you still lift your right heel off the floor when you pee?"

The bear laughed heartily. “That's the big, burning question of the day? You're killing me, Babe."

“Good one, Big Bear. You're already dead," the coyote pointed out. “So, do you?"

“It doesn't work that way any more," said Roy, “so no, I don't." The ursine tilted his head as if listening to something far off. “I'm almost out of time," he said. “Is there anything else you wanted to know before I go? Maybe something a little more important?"

“How's Lucy? I miss her."

“She's great. She misses you too."

“Tell her I love her."

“She knows."

“I love you too," Tracy said to his bear.

The large male was fading from sight. “I know. I love you, Babe," he said and was gone.

+

Alex climbed up onto the couch next to his father. “Hey, Bychan, what happened to your game?" asked the adult G-Shep.

“Lisa didn't want to play any more. She went to show Grandma her new doll," said the young dog. He pointed to the elderly coyote sitting across the room. The old canine's eyes were closed and his lips were moving silently. “Poppy is talking to himself again," Alex said softly.

“Yeah, he does that sometimes."

“How come?"

“Oh, I don't know exactly," said the older German Shepherd. “Maybe he's just telling himself stories. You know, remembering when he was a young pup like you." Llewelyn Roy tousled the longer fur on top of his son's head. He looked over at his grandfather. Tracy's lips no longer moved, but the corners curled up in a smile. “He's a good storyteller, you know. I bet he'd love to tell you one about Uncle Roy. Why don't you go over there and ask him?"

The six-year-old nodded. He climbed down from the couch and walked over to touch his great grandfather's paw. Tracy's eyes opened. “Poppy?" said the little boy, “Can you tell me the story again about when Uncle Roy got scared in the elevator?"

The coyote's eyes twinkled. “You like that one, huh?" The pup nodded. Tracy patted the tops of his thighs. “Climb aboard then and I'll tell you."